Inter’s coach Andrea Stramaccioni today held a press conference before the match against Torino tomorrow night. Thomas Salme from Sempreinter.com was on site, and with his help we can give you a summary of what Stramaccioni had to say.
“We will face a team that is in good shape, with Ventura’s work they have also gained continuity in their results. During the first half of the season they have had bad luck, but have found continuity and retrieved key players like Ogbonna. They are in good shape, both in terms of morale and physique. This is a game where neither can or want to fail, it is very important for us to continue our quest for top postions.”
Stramaccioni made comparisons with the first game against Torino: “I changed many things, we have changed a lot. We got there after the loss at home to Roma, some attackers were not available. Now we have developed and we can prove that tomorrow evening. Torino has a special way of playing, and even Juventus changed a lot when they played against them. We will not change anything, but I want the result.”
On Cassano’s comeback in the squad: “I will reserve myself until the referee blows the starting whistle to determine if he will play from the start or not, we’ll see what happens. Mourinho? I join the crowd even I, from now and a hundred years forward, he will be a reference point for all of us. I repeat my congratulations because I have already congratulated him via text message.”
Stramaccioni then returned to talking about the matches against Roma: “These were two games that opened our eyes, on Wednesday, we could also have been able to reach a draw. Our absences in the attack were noticable, especially in the second halves we were missing a little something. With that in mind those who played did very well. We saw a compact Inter because we knew how to react. I have never talked about the players who are missing, but there are some players that are more or less important for us in order to find an identity. This season, we have often been missing important players which has been delaying the collective development, but we have our own identity. Now, we continue to work on our project, which began last summer. In football, it may not exist, but I ask for time for my players to be able to do their best.”
Where can this Inter go?
“We want to get back to the Champions League, I have never talked about the Scudetto but just about getting to the Champions League. Until the final whistle of the last match, we will give everything to achieve this goal. Scudetto?, I have never thought of it, we are far from the first place now, but it was wrong to think of it before, too. We must take one step at a time.”
The was also talk about the mercato:
“I do not think much has changed since August 1, apart from the youngsters and less important deals I have only one Sneijder less. I believe in this group, very much. Livaja? I have always believed in him, I will just let him leave if I think it’s worth it because he, unlike the others, has shown that he can do very well in Serie A.”
Yesterday you met Moratti:
“Yes, we met yesterday and we have the same goals. Both of us want to improve Inter and make the team grow. From now until January 31, I have full confidence in him and our directors. For purchases and to improve the team we need players the highest level of satisfaction to the ground. I do not need squad players, if anyone should come it should be one of a higher level. Meanwhile, there could be some potential sales that could hurt for me, but that leads to an important player who improves Inter. It’s my president, and my thoughts.”
Can these painful sales be Coutinho and Alvarez?
“I defined those painful because they are players who began the project with us and that includes Wesley, aside from how it went. I’m talking about painful when I talk about the people I was working with, and work with. On February 1, we will, in terms of what players we have, do everything to reach the Champions League, that is what I can say. I would say it is better with a regista, but if I cannot find one now, or if we cannot get him because it is too difficult during the January window it becomes abstract. I would also reluctantly let a player go if it means that I can get a player who helps the team. Paulinho? We are at January 25, I will comment on the names on February 1.”
There was a question about Sneijder’s situation:
“Even Wesley longed until everything would be over, either inside or outside of Inter. I again thank him because he helped me a lot, and I can only thank him for what he did for me. I wish him only the best, we talked much at Appiano and outside and I hope he can show all his qualities. All the teammates had and have a very good relationship with him.”
Translated by Siavoush Fallahi and Danny Hansen
